Can-filling apparatus.



W. J. PHELPS.

GAN FILLING APPARATUS. ABPLIOATLQN FILED GOTA, 1911.

W. J.. PHELPS.

`GAN PILLNG APPARATUS.

APPLIATIONI FILED OCTA, 1911.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913L A1 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@Mi/hummm W. J. PHELPS. Y GANHLLING APPARATUS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED 0G14, 1911. v 1,()58,095. Patented Apr. 8, 1913 4 SHEETS-SHEET S.

. W. J. PHBLPS. GAN FILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OGT.4, 1911. 1,058,095. Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

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'WALTER J. HELFS, F

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, casera, or nocnnsrna,

assrenoa or one-'HALF 'rc raamt new Yoan.,

can-.FILLING APPARATUS.

Leashes.

,To all whom t may concern:

commodity, for said apparatus may be used for filling vother commodities into cans.

Since the invention is especially adapted for operation in connection with evaporated milk, to simplify the description it will be considered throughout this specification that the commodity employed is evaporated milk, but it will "be understood that by confining the description to the one commodity the use of the apparatusin so far as it may be applied to other commodities is not thereby limited solely to the use of evaporated milk.

designed milk into the cans when the latter are 1n,

For manufacturing reasons, and especially because in the packaging of evaporated milk by placing the same in metal cans for stor-` age, transportation and sale, it is foundto be particularly advantageous to provide cans wholly sealed before the milk is introduced with the exception of a small `centrally located filling perforation in one end or head, and since this filling perforation is afterward sealed while the perforated end of the can isA uppermost such perforated head or end of the can may for `convenience of description be ytermed the top of the can.'

In introducing thek milk into the can through the small perforation employed certain difficulties have heretofore been encountered, which diiiiculties are set forth in my application No. 634,052, filed June 19, 1911, for can filling apparatus, and in such application there is disclosed an apparatus particularly, for introducing the lthe inverted position, that is, with the perforated end downward, so that the milk'on entering the can must rise through the accumulating milkwithinthe can, while the air displaced by the accumulating milk finds escape through an air vconduit of minute cross section introduced-into the can through the perforation therein until close to the closed end of the can. The purpose of so arranging the cans and the iilling devices is to prevent what is known as foam- Specification of Letters Eatent.

filling cans with evaporated milk,

suiicient head to cause the filling of the cans with the requisite rapidity to meet commercial conditions,`both as to the consumption of time and the cost .of the necessary machinery, power and labor.

lVhile the general principle upon which the' machine of the present invent-ion opcrates is substantially the same as that of the -machine of the aforesaid application, the structure of' the machine of the present application is in certain respects quite different from that disclosed in the said application, and certain features which in the use of the machine ofthe aforesaid application rat-emga apr. s, isis.

Applicatonpled October 4, 1911. Serial No. 652,863.

' ing of the milk when introduced under a might prove in practice to-be more or less c are so changed in the machine of the present invention that the likelihood of defective .action is -wholly eliminated.

The single lling orifice in each can is `purposely made of as small diameter as practical, and in practice the diameter of the orifice need not eXceedS-Q thousandths of an inch and may bev even considerably less.

This orifice must not only accommodate an air tube,but must provide room enough about the air tube for the inflow of the milk with such rapidity as to fill the can in a reasonablyshort time.' It results, therefore, that the air tube is also of very small diameter, and such diameter must be materially less than 89 thousa'ndths of an inch if the diameter of the orifice be 89 thousandths of an inch, and if the diameter of t-he orifice be less than that, the tube must be correspondingly smaller in external diameter. Such a tube is, ofcourse, quite fragile, but in thestructure of the present invention the tube of such small diameter may be comdefective, though 'not necessarily vitally so, i

paratively short, not much exceeding the ably, though not necessarily,

i 5 is a detail elevation, partly in quent quantities of milk passed through the' machine.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part. of this specification, with the understanding, however, that while in the drawings there is shown a commercial type' of machine which in actual practice has proven to lbe effective, the linvention is by no means limited to any exact conformity to the structure shown in the drawings, but may be variously changed and modified so long as t-he salient` features of the invention are retained and the results aimed at are accomplished.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a vertical diametric section through a machine e1n bodying the present invention, some parte being shown in elevation, and some distant parts omitted. Fig. 2 is a plan View of t-he machine shown in Fig. l with the central milk inlet or conduit indicated in cross section. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 distant parts being omitted. Fig. l is a section on theline 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. section, of the lower end of the machine showing controllable driving means. Fig. 6 is a vertical section with some parts in elevation and drawn to a larger scale than the preceding views of one of the can holding means and the filling devices immediately associated therewith, the structure being shown in one phase of the operation. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing another phase of the operation and the section being taken through another portion of the machine, similar to Athat shown in Fig. 6, where the parts have in the operation of the machine reached the position shown. Fig. 8 is a vertical diametric section through the milk distributing chamber and adjacent parts.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a main frame composed of legs Il, prefert-hree in number, united at the upper end by a spider 2, and near the lower end by another spider 3,

vthe several parts of the frame being preferably of web and .fiange construction, and the legs 1 terminating in feet 4 designed to rest upon a supporting surface, such as a door and to be bolted thereto,

At an appropriate point in the hei ght of the legs 1 there is secured a cam ring 5, which is substantially circular in plan View and through the greater portion of its length is in one plane`,and at another portionl 6 this cam ring is `elevated with reference to the plane of the major portion of the ring. Thefcam ring may' be formed of angle material .with a top lweb 7 directed toward the Vcenter lnfec the -frame fand lat the which at the end remote .from the shaft 12 receives a packing gland 14 about a pipe or tube 15 which may come from a suitable supply of evaporated milk preferably located at height to impart to the milk the requisite head for the pur oses of the inven-v tion. For instance, if t e` machine be lolcated in a building consisting of severallv stories, the-milk supply or reservo-ir may be located one or two or more stories above the machine, according to the height of the stories. The spider 3 is also provided at the center with a flanged opening 16 through which there is passed a hollow extension 17 terminating above the spider 3 in a laterally expanded head 18 on the under side of which may be formed a ball raceway' 19 containing balls 2O resting on the upper edge of the flange surrounding the opening 16, so that thehead 18 with its extension 17 may be free to rotate, the said head 18 constituting -a step bearing. The upper marginal portion of the head 18 is provided with a radial iiange 21 upon which rests, and to which is secured by bolts 22 the margi; al portion of an inverted cup 23 which in turn receives centrally the lower end of the hollow shaft 12, which latter may be screwed into the cup 23 and extend through an opening Ain the center thereof formed by a flange 24. The peripheral portion of the cup 23 is thickened to form a marginal rib through which extend an appropriate number of pipes 26 threaded into the rib 25 and opening into the interior of the cup. The upper surface of the head 18 is dished, as indicated at 27, and coacts with the interior of the cup 23 to form a distributing chamber into which milk is fed by the hollow or tubular shaft 12 and passes out therefrom through the pipes 26. f

A drain cock 27 communicates with the interior cf the chamber within the cup 23 at the lower'end of the dished portion 27 of the head 18 and discharges through the eX- tension 17, which latter constitutes a guide bearing for the head 18. The extension 17 has secured theretobelow the flanged opening 16 a worm wheel 28, which in turn is en, gaged by a worm 29 on a countershaft 30, which latter has bearings 31 housed in an appropriate enlargement 32 of the spider 3, and this shaft passes through one side of one los leg of the spider beyond the frame of the machine and is provided at the corresponding end with another bearing 33 between which and the first named bearings 3l the counter-shaft carries a pulleyanda clutch 85, which latter maybe of any appropriate construction, whereby the 'pulley 34 and the shaft 30 may be coupled together or uncoupled at will. For this purpose there is provided a lever 36 mounted on a support 37'close to the clutch, and the lever is connected by a link orrod 38 tesa-pedal 39 in position to be readily reached by the foot of an operator when appropriately positioned with reference to the machine as a whole, to move the clutch either way. v

The spider 3 carries an annular drip pan 40 about the bearing head 18, and this drip pan is provided with a drain cock 4l, the purpose of the drip pan appearing hereinafter. r

Secured to the shaft 12 between its bearings are spiders 42, v-13 and 44, respectively, the said spiders being spaced along the shaft at appropriate distances apart. The spiders 42 and 44 have about the same radial extent` while t-he spider 43 ig of less radial extent than the others.

The spider 42 is provided at the periphery with a circular series of radial arms 45, each of which has bosses 4G, e? formed thereon with passages therethrough in radial relatien to the axis of rotation of the shaft l2. The spider @C8 has a peripheral series of bosses a8 each provided with a passage in line with the passage through respective boss di: The spider all terminates in a 'peripheral ring" i9 through which there is formed a circular series of passages in linelwith the passages through the bosses` 46 andL 'provided for a purpose which will pres- K ty appear. ln each passage 5() there is ed an elongated member lhayingltnerea longitudinally disposed chamber 52. iis' member 5l has one end 53 closed except as hereinafter described, and nearthe other end the member 51 isvthiclrened to seat in the passage 50, while beyond the passage 50 in engagement with the face of the peripheral ring 49"constituting the upper face in the installed machinethe' member 5l is expanded laterally to form a ledge 5i. seating on the upper face of the ring a9. The member 51 is extended longitudinally beyond the .ledge as indicated at 55, while within the extension '55 and the ledge 54 the internal bore of the member -51 is expanded, and where meeting the chamber').v terms an annular ledge 56 upon which is seated ring designed to receive and suppcrtpacking 58 heid within the extension by a pac-lting gland 59. The chamber 51 is entered through'the packing and packing gland by a'pipe or tube 60 opening freely int-o the chamber 52 at what constitutes the lower i end ofthe pipe in the installed machine. i On that portion of the pipe or tube 60 above the packing gland 59 there is applied a split collar 6l having adjacent wings 62 traversed by a clamp bolt or screw 63, so that the collar may be loosened forl adjustment along the pipe or tube ,60 and may be. securely fastened to the tube in any .d sired adjusted position for a purpose whit) will hereinafter appear.

Extending through the alined passages in matching bosses 4:7 and 48 are rods 64 each capable of sliding longitudinally through the bearin s provided by the bosses Li7 and 48. Moun ed in each boss 46 is another rod 65 also capable of sliding longitudinally through the boss. Each pair of `rods G4 and in radial relation one to the uother are joined togetherbyA a connector 66 having eyes 67 through which the respectiie rods l are passed, and to which these.rods are sei cured by pins 68 extendmg through the'eyes and rods,`so that the rods must of necessity move together. The eye 6T of each connector 6G through which extends the rod (55 has projecting therefrom a pin 69 in the form of a screw with a smooth shaulffand mounted on the smooth shank of the screw is a roller vTO confined to the respective connectors-6G by the Lead of the screw. Each roller 70 is adapted to engage the cam ring 5 by underriding the flange 7' throughout the greater portion of its length, and riding on the track 8 during a portion of the travel of the roller with reference to the cam.

Each rod 65 extends below the respective eye 67 and at the lower end carries a laterally expanded heat 7l capable of sliding along the rod for a limited distancei this distance being determined in one direction ,by a pin 72 traversing the rod G5 and norin engagement `with the pin 72 by a spring surrounding the rod 65 between -the boss and the corresponding end of the head Each rod Si also extends an appropriate distance below the corresponding boss 48 ofthe spider el-B and at the lower end this rod carries-'a set collar 7G. Between the collar 'T6 and the corresponding boss 48 the red (3f-i is surrounded by a sleeve 7 7 from one side of which there projects a shelf 78, and between the sleeve 77 andthe set collar 76 the rod 64 is surrounded by a spring 79 tending normally to hold thesleeve 77 away from the collar 7 G, but yielding to superior ressure.

Each shelf 7 8 is in the normal operation of the machine practically horizontal and extends radially outward from the rod 64.

.This shelf has formed through it a passage 80 expanding from the lovver face of the shelf toward the upper face by successive steps forn'iing shoulders 8l, 82, respectively. The shoulder 8l is designed to support. a closure 83 tor the passage, Which closure is axially recessed to receive the upper end of the pipe 'GO and on the upper face the closure 88, which is in the form of a circular plate, has an upstanding boss 8st surrounded by an anniil'ar recess 8.3, which latter is designed to receive a ring 8G of some compressible material, such as sott vulcanized rubber. Extending through the closure or plate 83 and the boss is a circular series of passages 87 together' with another passage central thereto. Extending through the cent-ral passage isa tube 88 of small diameter joined to another tube 89 of larger diameter in line and communicating therewith. The tubes 88 and 89 are in the center line or axis of the tube 60 or approximately so, and the tube 89 at its lower end is fast to and extends through a threaded sleeve 90 extending into the chamber 52 through the end 53 of the member' 5l and'Y exterior to the end 53 the sleeve 90 is provided With a yterminal portion 91 preferably in the form of a hexagonal nut for the application ofa manipulating tool such as a Wrench, While the sleeve on its threaded portion is also provided With another nut 92 designed to force a Washer 93 against the lower face of the end 58, Which may be suitably shaped for the purpose,

thus not only holding the sleeve 90 in adjusted positions, but also serving to hermeticallyclose the passage traversed by the sleeve 90. The tube 89 terminates outside the sleeve 90 belon7 the lower end of the same in position to discharge into the pan 40, and the tube 89 beyond the nut 91 need, therefore, be of but short length.

The ledge 82 olf veach shelf 78 is designed to receive a can 94 having formed centrally in one head a minute perforation 95, which, when the can is placed upon the ledge 82 and centered by the peripheral Wall of the corresponding portion ot' the passage 80, 1s in line with the tube 88, so that the latter may enter the can through the passage or perforation to an appropriate extent. The ledge 82 is of a diameter' to receive and center the largest can the machine is to fill, While for smaller cans a reducing ring may be used, but as this is a common expedient it is not deemed necessary to illustrate it.

The rollers 70 in traveling about the cam are raised and lowered throughout the sec tion 6 of the cam and maintained in the lowered position throughout the greater portion of the leneth of the cam, at such time underriding the flange 7,. the expres sions of direction as used both With respect to the rise and tall of the rollers and to the movements oit other parts or the machine, als Well as the expressions of position with Considering a single can filling unit of machine, let it be assumed that the roller 70 belonging to such unit is at the highest portion of the cam 5. llnder these circumstances the rods Ga and are raised to their highest points of travel with the connector 6G close to or in actualu Contact with the bosses 45 and 4-7 ot the Web 4t2, although actual contact is not necessary. The head 7l is correspondingly raised, but is in Contact with the pin 72 by the action of the spring 7 Moreover, the sleeve 77 is carried by the rod 64 into contact with the corresponding boss 48 of the Web l-S and this position is reached before the rod 6ft has been fully ele vated, so that the spring 79 is compressed by Avthe collar it) against the under end of the sleeve 77. rlfhe lifting of the shelf 78 With the sleeve 77 has caused a corresponding liftinof of the pipe GO which is therefore drawn to a commensurate extent out of the member 5l, the tube 60 operating after the manner of a piston, but the lower end of the .tube 60 does not pass out of the chamber 52. "In this position of the parts the tube 88 has its upper end at or below the upper vmargin of the ring 86 and at or slightly above the upper edge of the boss 84 and is maintained. concentric With the margins of the ledge 82 by the boss 84.

Let it be further assumed that milk has been. supplied through the shaft l2 into the distributing chamber, and from thence through the pipes 26 which are each connected to a valve 96, and the latter is connected by a pipe 97 to the lower end of the chamber 5]., the pipe 97 including a union for the ready dismantling of the structure. Each valve 96 has its stem 99 provided with a cross piece 180 in the path of which appropriate points are stop pins Lilli 10Q., respectively, one pin engaging the f os i 1GO to open the valve and the gaging the cross piece 10G in z close the valve.

Under the conditions as to the one filling unit will be described roller is in the l... 'structure caused te. ing sident the e ,Il the descendwill cause (lil lith

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and 65, but before the descending movement is begun it is assumed that a' can 94 has been placed on the ledge 82 which centers the can on the shelf 78 andl the 'can is so placed Vthat the perforation 95 is lowermost and immediately above the upp'er end of the tube 88 in line with the latter. The placing of the can on the ledge may be by hand or by any suitable automatic mechanism which it is not deemed necessary to show.

Since the spring 79 is compressed when the roller 70 is in its highest position,the rod Gi will more downwardly for a considerable distance before the compression of the spring 79 is suiiiciently released to permit the shelf 78 to descend by its own Weight. Before this position is reached, however', the cap 71 is brought into engagement with the then upper end of the'can 94, this end of the can being that remote from the filling opening 95. rl`he spring 75 Will yield to permit the rod 85 to move a short distance with relation to the 'cap 71, so that the said cap 71 engages the can With considerable pressure due to the -under some compression.

force of the spring 75. Beforetheshoulder 7 4 reaches the cap, the latter is movedpositively and the can 9i participates in this positive increment transmitting the motion to the shelf 7 8 even though the spring 79 be The, friction of thepipe 60 in the packing through which it enters the chambers 52 will cause a resistance to the motion of the pipe and consequently the shelf 78 will more to some extent independently Vof the pipe, and as the latter is connected to the plate 88 the said plateto-V gether with the ring 8d will not move, to any extent. during the'initial movement ofthe shelf 78, so that the can is brought into contact with the ring 86 about the perforation 95 and the ring 8G being of elastic material is compressed against the outer wall of the head of the can, thus sealing the same about the perforationv95 and then the pipe G0 participates in the further downward movement of the shelf 78. However, the tube 88 is held against any downward movement and consequently the can 9st is moved along the tube 88 which Venters the perforation 95 until the upper end of the tube 88 is in close relation to the inner Wallv of the then upper end of the can, the extent of entrance of the tube 88 into the can being determined by the position of the collar 85 on the pipe 60, this collar ultimately coming into contact With thel gland 59, thus arresting further downward movement of the pipe`60 and of the can 94 except that there may be a fur-A ther slight compression of the ring 86. The spring 7 5 is sufficiently strong to hold the can 94 against the ring or gasket 86 with such pressure as to render the joint between the gasket and can fluid tight, but the spring will yield sufficiently to compensate for any variations in the construction of the apparatus or in the cans.

The shelf 78 is held against the can 'by the spring 79, which spring may be so related to the other parts of the machine as to notV be fully extended under the circumstances assumed.l

By vthe ,time the parts have reached the position just described, the roller 7 O ils-traveling under the flange 7 Where the latter is level, and the parts are therefore held in the lowered position. B y the time this lowered position has been reached the appropriate pin101 or 102, in accordance with the direction of rotation of the machine, en-` gages the cross piece 100 of the valve 9G belonging to the unit under consideration and the pipe 26 coming from the `distribution chamber is opened to the pipe 97, Wherefore milk from the distribution chamber Where it is under pressure flows into the chamber 52 and thence through the pipe 60 to the passages 87 tp the interior of the ring or gasket 86 .and from thence through the perforation 95 about the tube 88 into the can 94. Milk quickly accumulates Within the can, and since the entering stream of milk is passing through What is then the bottom of the can by Way of the.

perforation 95, the incoming milk stream must flow through the accumulating body "of milk Within the can and consequently the milk stream is diverted and distributed through the body of milk,.wherefore any tendency of the milk to pass toward the other-end of the can in the form of a jet is prevented and foaming of the milk is Wholly obviated, the apparatus of the present invention in this respect operating in the same manner as the apparatus disclosed in the aforesaid application No. 634,052.

The milk 'entering into thc can of course compresses the air within the can, which latter finds ready escape through the tube 88, the open end of Which tube is close to, the inner face of the upper end of the can, and the air passes out through the tube 88 into the tube 89 and from the lower end of the latter to the atmosphere. During all this time-the shaft 12 of the filling unit under consideration is rotating and ultimately the valve 9G has its cross piece 100 brought into contact With the other stop pin 101 or 102, as the case may be, when the valve is closed, so that there is no further flow of milk into thechainber At about this time the roller 70 has reached the rising orlifts theshelf 78 with it and the drag of the' packing of the pipe 6() will hold the latter until the late 83 becomes seated on the ledge 8l, where y causing the ring or gasket 86 -to move just out of engagement with the corresponding head of the can 94. llhen the piperises with the shelf 78 and the withdrawal .of the pipe 60 in part from the chamber 52 creates a partial vacuum therein, so that this vacuum causes an inrush of air around the edges of the can where resting on the ledge 82 and between the outer face of the then lower end of the can and the adjacent edge of the gasket 86, wherefore any accumulaton of vmilk within the gasket 86 and on the outer face of the can head is drawn oli by the vonrush of air. Thisicontinues until the shelf 78 is raised to the highest point when the sleeve 77 contacts with the -boss 48 by which time the tube 88 has become housed in the pi e 60 to the full extent designed and any slig t drop of milk which would otherwise lodge at the opening -95 is also drawn into the tube 60' by the inrush of air. After the rising movement of the shelf 78 has ceased the rods' 64.- and still continue their upward movement and ultimately the pin 72 engages a head 71, and the latter is lifted from the filled can 94 to a suthcient extent to permit the operator to lift the filled can from the shelf 78 and to replace it with an empty can, -the -movement of the rotaryl parts of the ma? chine being sutliciently slow to permit these actions of the operator, or the iilled cans may be removed and replaced by empty cans by any suitable automatic mechanism. No milk will spontaneously escape from the inverted can after the tube 88 has been withdrawn therefrom and before theV can is removed from the shelf 78, since the perforation 95 is to all practical purposes capillary. Furthermore, there still remains milk within the tube 88 since milk passes into this tube durino the iinal stage of filling,

so as to give evi ence by lthe outflow of milkfrom the tube 89 thatthe can has been properly filled.

The tube 88 is necessarily of smaller diameter and, therefore, quite weak and not adapted to withstand any material pressures tending to bend it. The tube 88 is greatly strengthened by the comparatively large tube 89 so far as the end of the tube 88 connected to the end of the tube 89 is concerned. However, the free end of the tube 88 is sustained by the plate 88 where traversed by the tube 88 and even if the tube 88 becomes bent from any reason it readilyl enters the perforation 95, since the latter when 'the can is in place on the shelf 78 is closely adjacent tothe corresponding end of the tube 88 and in fact too close to be affected by any bend in the said tube 88. Itis immaterial whether the tube 88 bends after entering the can or not, since it will readily straighten when being again-housed in the pipe 60.

The machine is adapted to fill cans of difvferent capacities, and as cans of different capacities vary in height but should be filled to approximately the same extentit is necessary to provide for the entrance of the tube 88 into c ans of diii'erent heights to the same relative extent. For this purpose the adjustable collar 1Y 61 is provided. Suppose that the-cans 94 to be filled are half the height of thatindicated in the drawings. The head 71 would then be lowered topa considerably greater extent than in tie particular showing of the drawings be ore engaging the can, wherefore the shelf 78 is not lowered by the engagement of the head 71 with the can until a later period in the cycle of operatins than under the conditions shown in the drawings, so that the pipe 60 would Anot be forced intothe chamber 52 to so great an extent as before Eand in-order that the pipe 60 may be stopped at the proper point to cause the gasket 86 to be compressed tightly against the can the col lar 61'is adjusted lower-down on the pipe 60 to provide for the difference in movement of the table 78.

The cycle of operations described with reference. to a chosen one of the can filling units occurs with each can liilling unit in succession and the number of separate units in the machine isin accordanc with the time taken to fill they cans. With,I mall cans the machine may be run more rapidly than with large cans. When the supply pressure is maintained, or if'the machine be run at the same speed whether the cans be large or `small the pressure necessary to'cause the lilling may be less with small cans than in the case of large cans.k

In order that there may be'no flow of milk should there be a failure to place au empty can on any of the tables 78, any suitable device 'may be employed-to avoidlopening the valves 96 except when thelrespective cans are properly in plate. A mechanism for' the purpose is shown intthe'before-mentioned application No. 634,052; and such mechanism or any other suitable mechanism may be used in connection with the present in'vcn tion. j

The process of canning liquids herein disclosed but not claimed, is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 669,886, iiled on January 6, 1912', for process of canning liquids.

What is claimed is 1. ln an ap'glaratus vfor filling liquid into cans each of w vich is provided with a small filling perforation, a carrier for the can for supporting the same in the inverted position with the perforation downward, means for directing liquid into the can when on the carrier, and an air tube of a. size to enter the can through the small perforation to a point adjacent the imperforate end of the can when on the carrier, those ends of both the air tube and liquid directing means re mote from the can being in Anormally fixed relation one to the other, and the can carrier and that end of the liquid directing means adjacent thereto beingyk movable lengthwise of theiair tube to an" extent to cause the introduction of the tube into the can and its total wihdrawal therefrom in accordance with the direction of movement of the can support.

2. In a machine for filling cans with liquid through a single small perforation in each can while the can is inverted with the perforation downward, a telescoping liquid directing tube provided Yith sealing means for engaging the perforated end of the can about the perforation, and an air tube extending through the liquid directing tube and of a length and diameter to enter a can through the small perforation therein to a point adjacent the imperforate end of the can.

3. A machine for filling cans wit-h liquid through a small filling perforation in one end of eachean when the can ie inverted with the filling perforation downward, comprising a. liquid directing tube formed of two members in telescoping relation one to the other, one member being provided with means for engaging the perforated end of the can about said perforation in sealing relation thereto, and an air tube carried by the other end of the ,liquid directing tube and of a length to enter a ca-n engaged by the first named .portion of the liquid directing tube when said port-ibn of the liquid directing tube is tele-scoping upon that po-rtion of the tube carrying the air tube.

f ,4. In a machine for filling liquid into cans each 'of which is provided with a single small filling perforation and during the filling operation is located with the perforation downward, a support for the inverted can, a telescoping liquid directing-tube having a movable member extending through the support and provided with sealing means at the end extending through said support to engage a can about the perforation, an air tube carried by the relatively xed portion of the f liquid directing tube andofa length and diameter to enter a can thro-ugh the small perforation to apoin-t adjacent the imperforate end thereof when on the support, and means for causing a'movement of the can into sealing relationI to the movable portion of the liquid directing tum and for then telescoping said portion of the tube into the relatively fixed part thereof.

5. In a machine for filling liquid into cans each of which is provided with a single small filling perforation and during the filling operation is located with the perforation downward, a support for the invertedy can, a telescoping liquid directing tube having a movable member extending through the support and provided with sealing means atithe end extending through said support to engage a can about-.the perforation, an air tube carried by the relatively. fixed portion of the liquid directing tube and of a length and. diameter to enter a can through the small perforation to a point adjacent the ,imperforate end thereof when on thesupport, and means for' causing a. movement of t-hecan into sealing relation .to the movable port-ion of the liquid directing tube and for ythen telescoping said portion of the tube Ainto the relatively fixed part thereof, the machine being provided with means forcausing the flow ofvliquid 'through the liquid directing means and into the can when the air tube iswithin the can and the latter is in sealed relation to the corresponding end of the liquid directing means.

6. In a machine for filling liquid into cans each with a. small `filling perforation in one end'and otherwise sealed, a support for sustaining the can in the inverted position with the perforation downward, a telescoping liquid directing tube extending through and having a limited movement independent -of the support, said support and portion of the tube carried thereby having an extent of movement with respect tothe remaining portion of the tube, and an air tube extending through the liquid directing tube and carried by the relatively fixed part of the liquid directing tube. h

7 In a machine for filling liquid into cans each with a small lling perforation in one end and otherwise sealed, a support for sustaining the can in the inverted position'with the perforation downward,` a telescoping liquid directing tube extending through and having a' limited movement independent of the support, said support and,portion of the tube carried thereby having an extent of movement with respectto the remaining portion of the tube, and an air tube extending through the liquid directing tube -and carried by the relatively fixed part ofthe liquid directing tube, the air tube having means for its adjustment lengthwise of the liquid direct-ing tube, and the movable portion of the liquid directing tube having means for determining theextent of itslimited movement with reference to the can support.

8. In an apparatus for filling cans` each of which is provided witlz single small filling perforation at one end and with the other end imperfora'te, said perforation being of a size to prevent spontaneous outfiow of liquid therethrough when the filled can is inverted, a movable support for the can for sustaining the latter in in inverted position with the perforated end downward, a lilling tube movablev with'the cansupport and having Va limited extent of movement independenlt of the can support, sealing means carried by the filling tubefor hermetically connecting the tube to the can about the lling perforation, and an air tube fixed with relation-to the filling tube and can support and extending through the filling tube, the' air tube being of a length to enter the can toward the imperforate end thereof to the level to which the can is to be filled when the can support and filling tube are moved lengthwise of the airvtube.

9. In an apparatus for filling cans each provided with a single small filling perforatio-n at one end and the other end imperforate, said perforation being of a size to prevent spontaneous outflow of liquid therethrough when the lilled can is inverted, a movable support for sustaining the can in an inverted position with the perforated end downward, a filling tube or pipe carried at one end by the support and having a sealing means at the end carried by the support, said filling tube or pipe having a limited range of movement independent of the support, a clamping means for the can for moving the latter and its support together with the filling pipe or tube, and an air tube extending througl'i the filling tube lengthwise of the latter and of a length to enter the can through the perforated end thereof toward the other end to the level to which the can is filled, the air tube being fixed against participation in the movement of the filling tube or pipe and the can support.

l0. In an apparatus for filling cans each having a sii le 'filling pilrritoration at one end with a. can when being filled in an inverted position, a slidable rod, a table carried thereby and movable along the rod, a springen the rod sustaining the table, said table being provided with a passage therethrough having a seat for rcceivingthe can in the inverted position, a fillingtube or pipe carried by the tz ble and having a lim-` ited movement 'with relation to the table in the direction of the length of the filling tube or pipe, said filling tube or pipe at the table end being provided with a sealing gasket and opening interior to said gasket, a material conduit into which the material pipe or tube is movable to different extents, an air tube extending through the material conduit and the pipe or tube entering the latter, the air tube having a terminal portion of a length to enter a can on the table through the filling perforation toward the imperforate end of the can to the level to which the can is to be filled, the air tube and material conduit into which the material pipe or tube enters being fixed against participation in the movements of the table and pipe or tube carried thereby, a clamp for engaging the imperforate end of the can to hold the latter to the table, and means for causing reciprocation of the clamp and the rod carrying the table. l

1l. An uapparatusfor filling cans with milk or the like where each can is provided with a single small filling perforation in one end, a rotatable hollow shaft constituting a. milk conduit and including a distributing chamber, a circular series of milk receiving members, conduits leading from the distributing chamber to the milk receiving members and each including a valve, means for opening and closing the valves at predetermined intervals, a support carried by the shaft and in turn carrying the milk receiving members and participating with the latterin the rotary movement of the shaft,

other supports carried by the shaft, a eircular series of rods carried by the said other supports and movable therein in the direction of their lengths, a table carried by each rod and provided with a passage therethrough having a seat for a can when placed thereon in the inverted position, a milk pipe or conduit carried by cach table and ent-ering a corresponding milk receiving member connected to the distributing chamber, a spring support on each rod for the corresponding table, a stop memb on each milk pipe entering a respective milk receiving member for determining the extent of movement of the milk pipe into said milk-receiving member, said milk pipe being provided within a respective table with a ring or gasketof comprcssible material for engaging a can and sealing the pipe. thereagainst, said pipe opening within the ring, an air tube extending tlirou'gh the' milk receiving member and through the milk pipe substantially concentric therewith and with the sealing ring or gasket, said air tube being of a length to enter a can through the small perforation therein toward the other end of the'can to the level to which the can is to be filled, a clamp member for each can in position to engage the end thereof remote from the filling perforation when the can is on the table, a Icam track, and means engaging the cam track and eachcontrolling a rod carrying arespeetive table 'and clamp `head for moving the clamp head into engagement with a can and then moving t-he can and table together with the milk pipe eariied by the table toward. the milk receiving member connected to the distributing chamber, the air pipe being fixed againstparticipation in the movements of the can, table and milk pipe under the action of the can.

12. In an apparatus for filling cans each with a single small filling perforation in one end of a size to prevent spontaneous outflow of liquid therefrom when the filled can is inverted, a support for sustaining the can inthe inverted position, a liquid directing pipe or duct adapted to engage a can upon the support about the filling perforation of the inverted can in sealing relation thereto, said pipe Or duct having a movement toward and from the can into and `out of sealing relation thereto while the can is on the support, and an air tube extending through the liquid directing pipe or duct and of a. length and diameter to enter the can through the small filling perforation to a point adjacent the imperforate end of the can, the can support and liquid directing tube having an extent of movement along the air tube to cause the introduction of the air tube into the can to a point adjacent the impefforate end therelof and the total withdrawal of thev air tube from the can, the said can support having a greater extent of movement in the direction of the length of the air tube than the liquid directing tube.

13. ln an apparatus for iilling cans each with a single small filling perforation in one end of a size to prevent spontaneous outflow of liquid therethrough when the filled can is inverted, a milk pipe or duct adapted to engage a an about the rfilling perforation when the can is in the inverted position, and an air tube extending through the milk pipe and of a length and diameter to enter the can through the small fillingperforation to a point adjacent the imperforate end of the can, the milk pipe being movable lengthwise of the air tube to an extent corresponding to the extent of entrance of the air tube into the can, and the milk pip@ being provided with an adjustable stop member for determining its extent of movement with reference to the air tube.

1-i. ln an apparatus for filling cans with milk or the like, a milk receiving member having a chamber therein, a milk pipe movable in a direction into and out of the milk' receiving chamber, a can support carrying the milk pipe and movable therewith, and an air tube carried by the milk receiving` member and of a length to enter a can engaged by the milk pipe to the level to which the can is to be filled on the movement of the milk pipe into the milk receiving` chamber.

15. In an apparatus for filling milk or the like into cans through a single small perforation in the latter when the cans are in an inverted position, a milk receiving member having a chamber therein and provided with a packing gland at one end, a pipe en-V tering the milk receiving chamber through the packing gland and provided at the end exterior to the milk receiving chamber with a laterally expanded member having passages therethrough communicating with the corresponding end of the milk pipe, a packing ring or gasket carried by the laterally expanded member about the passages therethe expanded member and provided with a seat for receiving a can in Aan inverted position with the perforation in the can substantially centra-l toA the packiiig ringlor gasket, an air tube mounted in and extending lengthwise through the milk receiving inember and having a terminal portion extending the corresponding end of the 'milk pipe, and means for moving the t-able and milk pipe with reference to the milk receiving member, the air` tube being held by the milk receiving member against participation in the movements of the milk pipe and table.

16n ln an apparatus for filling milk or the likefinto cans througha single small perforation in the latter when the cans are `in an inverted position, a milk receiving [member having a chamber therein and provided with a packing gland at one end, a pipe entering the milk receiving chamber through the packing gland and provided at the end exterior to the milk receiving chamber with a laterally expanded member having passages therethrough communicating with the corresponding end of themilk pipe, a. packing ring or gasket carried by the laterally expanded member about the passages therethrough, a table carrying the milk pipe by the expanded member and provided with a seat for receiving a can in an inv rted position with the perforation on the can substantially central to the packing ring or gasket, an air tube mounted in and eX- tending lengthwise through the milk receiving member and having a terminal portion extending through the laterally expanded member at the corresponding end of the milk pipe, andmeans for moving the table and milk pipe with reference to the .milk receiving member, theair tube being held by thel milk receiving member against participation in the movements of the milk pipe and table, t-he air tube being provided the milk receiving member and the milk pipe being provided with means for limiting its movements into and out of the milk receiving member to predetermined extents,

17. ln an apparatus. for filling cans with milk or the 'like through a small perforation in one end of each can of a size to prevent spontaneous outflow of liquid therethrough when the filled can is inverted, the filling being performed while the can is in an 1nvverted position, a reciprocablc milktube or through, a table carrying the milk pipe by through the laterally expanded member at,

with means for its adjustment lengthwise of the discharge end a milk or the like through a single small perforation in each can of a` size to prevent spontaneous out-fioiv of milk from the filled can when inverted and the lling being performed when the can is in an inverted position, a reciprocable milk pipe having means for engaging a can about ,the small filling perforation for directing milk therethrough into the can, and an air tube fixed against -participation in the reciprocatory movementof the milk pipe, said air tube extending through the milk pipe and having a yterminal portion of reduced diameter of a length and diameter to enter the can through the filling perforation to the level to which the can is to be lled, the milk pipe having at guide for the reduced portion of the air tube.

19. ln an apparatus for Vfilling cans While in the inverted position each through a small idlling perforation in the then lowerend of the can', an air` tube movable into and out of the can While in the inverted position, the Aair tube entering the can through the filling perforation toward the other end of the can to the level to which the can is to be lled, and a milk pipe or conduit movable along the air tube to an extent to cause the latter to enter the can to the level to which the can is to be filled and to Wholly Withdraw from the can, the milk pipe being provided with a sealing gasket at the discharge end to engage the can about Vthe filling per-' 'foratioin and means for supporting the can ifi-position to receive the material to be filled, said can support moving with the milkv pipe and having a movement independent of the milk pipe to Cause the gasketto unseal the connection With the can to permit inflow of air along the face of the -can adjacent the filling orifice toward the milk pipe.

Qd ln v an apparatus for filling cans through a small perforation in one end of each canl a support for the perforated end of the can provided with means for hermetically sealing the end of the can about the perforation when the can is on the support in an inverted position, a conduit for the material to be filled into the can leading to said perforation through the can support, and an air tube also leading to and of a length to enter the can through said perforafiengt-h of the latter to an extentl to permit -the full insertion of the tube into land its Losanna tion to the level to which the can is to be filled, said air tube passing through the can supportand the said conduit, the can and its support being movable Withthe conduit along the air tube in the direction of the full Withdrawal from the can.

21. ln an apparatus for filling Y cans through a single small perforation in one end of each can, a support for sustaining a can in an inverted position with the perforation downward, a filling tube for the cany leading through the can support to a point adjacent the perforation When the can is on the support, but terminating exterior to the can, and un air tube interior to the fill* ing tube and of a length to extend .through the can supportand the perforation and into the can toward 'the imperforate end 'spring on the rod sustaining the table, said table being provided with a passage therethrough having a seat for receiving the'can in 'the inverted' position, a fillin tube or pipe carried by the table and having a limited movement vvith relation to the table in the direction of the length of the filling tube or pipe, an air tube extending through the filling tube and having a terminal portion of a length to enter a can While on the table through the filling perforation toward the impcrforate end of the can to the level to which the can is to be filled, the air tube being fixed against participation in the movements of the table and the filling pipe or tube carried thereby, a clamp for engaging the imperforate end of the can to hold the latter tothe table, and means for causing simultaneousv reciprocation of the clamp and the rod carrying the table..

23. in an apparatus for filling cans, al telescoping duct for the material to be filled into the cans, a can support for receiving a can in an inverted position and carrying yone member of the telescoping duct, a clamp member for engagingthe end of a can upon remote trom the support, a rod carrying the l Leashes in turn carrying the cam support, and a spring on the rod "constituting a yielding Aconnection betwe he rod and the can support for permit ing independent movement or the rod and support one with relation to the other.

24:. ln an apparatus :tor filling sans when in an inverted position, a can support, a niaterial ductv connected to said can support, a clamp head for engaging the end of a can clamp head, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the rod to move the can and its support for a distance substantially that of the depth of material to be filled into the can, another rod connected to the .tiret named rod 'for movement simultaneously therewith, said second named rod consti-tut ingr a carrier for the can support, and a spring connection between the `second named rod and the can support for permitting the rod to move independently ot the can support,

In an apparatus for filling cans while `in an .l inverted position each through a small lilhng perforation in the then lovver end ot' the can, a support for the can having a range of movement substantially equal to the depth to which materiali is to' b e iilled into the can, a material directing pipe or tube movable with the can support, and a sealing gasket Carried by the material pipe or tube in position to engage the illing end of the can when on the can support, the material pipe or tube with the gasket having a limited range of movement independent of the can supgort to eause the Withdrawal oi the gasket from sealing relation with the can during the return movement of the can and its support to normal position.

26. ln an apparatus for filling cans while in an inverted position each-through a small filling perforation in the then lower end of the can, a support for the can, means forr moving the support in the direction of the lfuigitudiiial axis of a can thereon to an extent suosfantially equal to the dept-h to which material is to be filled into the can, a material eonduit movable with the support and having a limited movement independent of the support, said Conduit beingpro-l 'vided with means for engaging the iilling end of a can when on the support toiseal the. 4can about the filling` perforation, and an air tube fixed against participation in the movement oi' the can, said air tube beingof a length to enter the can through the illing perforation to the level to which the can is to be iilled when the can is moved in one direction and to be Wholly Withdrawn from the can Whenthe latter is moved in the other direotion, the limited independent movement or the material conduitvith relation to the support causing the unsealing of the aan for the entrance of air thereat to the filling` Conduit on the return movement of the can and its support after the filling has been Completed. 2f?. ln an apparatus for -tilling cans each 'with a single small, i'iliing perforation in one end'of a size to prevent spontaneous outflow of liquid therefrom When the iilled can is inverted, a support for sustaining 'the can in the inverted position., a liquid directing pipe or duet adapted to vengage a can upon the support about the filling perforation oi" the inver-ted can in sealing,a relation thereto, and an air tube of a length and diameter to enter the ean through the small filling perforation to a point adjacent the impertorate end ot the can, said air tube beine' relatively ixed and the can support and liquid direetingl tube having an extent of movement lengthwise of the air tube to .cause the introduction oic the latter int-o'the Canto the iilling level and the total With- "drawal of the air tube from the can.

28. in a machine for filling liquid into Cans each with a small illing perforation in one end, a liquid directing tube adapted to engage the perforated end of the can in sealino' relation therewith, and an air tube extending through the liquid directing tube, said air tube having a portion of a length and diameter to enter the can through the small perforation to a point adjacent the imperforate end thereof, and the remainder of the air tube being ot larger diameter than the tiret named portion of the tube, the liquidL ,directing tube being formed of tivo part-s one of Which is in telesooping relation to the other and said teleseoping part being provided with a supporting guide for that portion of the air tube of smaller diameter.

In testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto athxed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WALTER J. ri-niLrs.

lllitnesses JOHN H. Sinners,

FRANCES lDEYToN SMITH. 

